Jet action for liquid treatment of materials



Dec. 3, 1968 G. E. KOCHANEK JET ACTION FOR LIQUID TREATMENT OF MATERIALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1967 i TO DRAIN INVENTOR GEORGE E KOfHANEK BY f? ATTORNEY Dec. 3, 1968 3. E. KOCHANEK 3,413,827

JET ACTION FOR LIQUID TREATMENT OF MATERIALS Filed April 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet :2

INVENTOE GEORGE E KOCHANEK sv TQ DRAIN AT EV 3,413,827 JET ACTION FOR LIQUID TREATMENT F MATERIALS George E. Kochanek, Gien Ellyn, 11]., assignor to Borg- Warner Corporation, Chicago, 131., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 628,749 11 Claims. (CI. 6823) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an improved method for the liquid treatment of articles and more particularly to a novel jet washing machine wherein the standard mechanical agitator is eliminated.

The term washing refers to the process of removing dirt, grease, and other foreign matter from fabrics and materials by subjecting them to the action of either warm or hot water containing soap suds and applying some kind of agitation or disturbance beyond mere quiet soaking. In a conventional machine this agitation is usually accomplished by some type of a mechanical agitator operating to churn the wash water and fabrics.

Certain features inherent in the operation of a mechanical agitator are undesirable. Repeated frictional contact between the agitator and clothes results in excessive wear on the materials laundered and a shorter fabric life. Fine fabrics are particularly susceptible to the tendency of a mechanical agitator to abrade and tear. Due to the slowness with which the textiles move about and mix with one another in the tub, there is a lack of uniform exposure to the scrubbing action of the textiles. Another problem to be contended with is the insuflicient circulation of the cleansing liquid.

All of these problems are overcome by the present invention which provides high-pressure streams of water to urge the clothes into motion and give them a tumbling effect. This allows the articles to interact with one another producing the required scrubbing action without the mechanical damage.

Since the interaction of the fabrics with each other is responsible for most of the cleaning action, it is essential to provide some means to impart a tumbling motion to the articles being Washed.

Some prior art devices have attempted to accomplish this result by forcing water upwardly from the bottom of the tub or downwardly from the top. Another approach has been to circulate water along the walls of the tub to set up eddy currents to tumble the clothes. These methods will have the disadvantage of keeping the various articles in the same area of the machine and allow relatively limited interaction.

A further approach is to direct streams of washing fluid from several edges of the tub to rotate the clothes around the center of the tub but this also results in insuflicient interaction.

The present invention provides different sets of jets, positioned at the center of the tub and oriented in different directions such that some continuous streams of fluid would be moving in different directions causing an ted States Patent 0 3,413,827 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 oscillating and reciprocating motion of the clothes. An alternative embodiment includes a switching valve for alternately actuating different sets of jets.

The net result for both embodiments is a motion of the clothes which includes both tumbling and rotation around the tub allowing each garment to contact many other garments increasing the cleaning efficiency of the system.

A spin-drying means is incorporated in the machine for the purpose of drying the clothes once they have been washed.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in schematic showing a washing machine embodying the principles of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross section of the hollow tube taken at line line 22 through the tube;

FIGURE 3 is a portion of the partly schemtaic view of FIGURE 1 showing an actuator valve incorporated into the liquid pumping system; and

FIGURE 4 is a view showing an alternative embodiment of the liquid supply unit.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters in the different views identify identical parts, designates generally a washer. The washer 10 includes a cabinet structure 11 wherein an outer tub 12 is mounted by a suitable means such as supporting brackets 13, a plurality of which may be spaced around the lower portion of the tub. Vibration isolation and damping devices (not shown) may be incorporated into the brackets 13 to insure smoothness of operation. The brackets may be attached to the tub and cabinet structure by suitable means such as welding.

The washer 10 also includes an inner tub or spinner basket 14 formed with perforations 15 therein and disposed inside the tub 12, and a reversible motor 16 for rotatably driving the spinner basket, The washer 10 further comprises a fluid supply unit and a pump 22 also driven by the reversible motor 16 to supply washing fluid under pressure to the fluid supply unit 20.

Water, or any other cleansing medium, is initially introduced into the machine through a supply conduit 1'. controlled by a simple shut off valve 18. When the desired amount of fluid has been added the valve 18 is closed and the electric motor 16 is energized. The water is then supplied to the fluid supply unit 20 under pressure by the pump 22 which may be of the centrifugal type, for example. The pump directs flow from the fluid supply unit 20 through a series of jet orifices. Water flows through perforations 15 in the spinner basket 14 and into tub 12 from which it is withdrawn by pump 22 through tub outlet 23 and then is pumped back to the fluid supply unit 20 through suitable connecting conduits. A diverter valve 19 is provided between the pump 22 and the fluid supply means 20 so that when the washing cycle has been completed the valve 19 may be oriented to communicate the washing fluid either to drain or, if it is desired to save the fluid, to a suitable reservoir through conduit 21.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1 the fluid supply unit 20 includes two concentric vertically extending hollow tubes 24 and 26 which are disposed at the center of the tub 12 and the spinner basket 14. The inner tube 24 is closed at both ends and extends from the bottom of the washer 10 nearly to the top of the tub 12. It is provided with an intake 28 at the bottom thereof which is connected by a conduit 30 to the discharge side of pump 22. A plurality of jets 32 and 34 are formed in the upper part of the tube 24 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, through which washing fluid is ejected from the interior of the tube 24 into the inner tub 14. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 the set of jets 32 is disposed in a first, substantially horizontal plane, and the set of jets 34 is disposed in a second, substantially horizontal plane vertically spaced below the set of jets 32. The jets 32 preferably are equidistantly spaced around the circumference of the tube 24. One suitable arrangement provides for three jets in each set, i.e., three jets 32 and three jets 34, but more jets could be used if desired. Also more layers of jets could be used. The jets 32 and 34 are disposed in the upper portion of tube 24 so that their discharge is directed generally into the upper half of the inner tub 14.

The outer tube 26 is concentrically disposed about the tube 24 and radially spaced therefrom by suitable means such as a pair of upper and lower ring spacer members 36 and 38 which are secured to the two tubes 24 and 26. These spacer members should also be provided with sealing means effective to seal the ends of the tube 26 for reasons which will become apparent. The tube 26 is also provided with an intake 40 near the bottom thereof which is connected by a conduit 42 to the discharge side of pump 22. A plurality of jets 44 and 46 are disposed in the upper part of tube 26 which extends only into approximately the lower half of inner tub 14 and terminates below the lowest layer of jets associated with inner jet tube 24. As will be seen from FIGURE 1, the jets 44 are arranged in a substantially horizontal plane with three jets in the set. The jets 46 also are arranged in a substantially horizontal plane disposed below the plane of jets 44 with three jets in the set. Just as with jets 32 and 34, the jets 44 and 46 are equidistantly spaced about the circumference of the tube 26 and there are preferably three jets 44 and three jets 46 although more could be used if desired. It will be observed that the jets 44 and 46 discharge generally into the lower portion of a the tub 14. The jets formed in the tubes 24, 26, may be in the form of orifices approximately A" in diameter. The planes of the jets 32 and 34, which will be referred to as the upper jets, may be approximately four to five inches apart. The distance between the planes of the jets will be determined to some extent, of course, by the number of layers of jets that are used. The planes of the jets 44 and 46, which will be referred to as the lower jets may also be approximately four to five inches apart. When the tub is filled with the washing medium, the upper and lower jets are submerged therein.

It will be observed from FIGURE 2 that the jets are not radially directed. Because of the angle at which these jets are disposed, they will be referred to as tangential jets. In other words, the jets are so disposed that streams emitted by them are substantially tangential to the inner periphery of the tube supplying fluid to that jet. Observation of FIGURES 1 and 2 will indicate that fluid pressure emitted through these tangential jets will impinge on the materials to be laundered and will tend to move them around the tub in the direction of discharge of the jets. This is one of the important features of this invention and it will be noted that the efliciency of the washing action Will increase the more closely the liquid streams approach a tangential path. The upper jets 32 are tangentially directed so as to impart forces on the materials to be washed generally directed clockwise when viewed from the top of the washer. The upper jets 34 are disposed in a similar manner. On the other hand, the lower jets 44 and 46 are oppositely directed, i.e., to impart forces in a generally counterclockwise direction when viewed from the top of the machine. The emission of the washing medium, which is considered to be water for purpose of illustration and recognizing that other fluids could be used, by the upper and lower jets in opposite directions under pressure is effective to tumble or agitate the laundry to be processed. Thus the jets are effective to provide washing action both by the fluid under pressure impinging on the laundry and by causing the materials to be laundered to rub against each other as a result of the tumbling action caused by the oppositely directed upper and lower jets. The jet discharges also give a swirling motion to the washing medium. The cooperative action of the upper and lower jets produces the agitation and tumbling of the laundry which, in other washer structures, is provided by a conventional oscillating mechanical agitator but without the normally resulting damage.

The upper jets 32, 34 may also be directed to emit fluid in a slightly downward direction and the lower jets may be directed to emit fluid in a slightly upward direction, as shown in FIGURE 1. Angles in the range of from about to about between the central axes of the jets and a plane normal to the vertical axis of the liquid supply unit have been found to be preferable. It will be apparent that such angularity will tend to produce a vertical reciprocating motion of the Washing medium and of the materials to be laundered thus providing additional rubbing action between the individual articles being washed.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1 it is contemplated that the pump 22 will feed washing fluid under pressure continuously to the upper and lower jets so that discharge from both the upper and lower jets will be continuous and uninterrupted during the washing cycle. Thus the tumbling action of materials to be laundered will result primarily from the oppositely directed jet emissions. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, a jet actuator valve or switching valve 50 may be incorporated in the system either as part of the pump 22 or connected in the pump discharge line. The valve 50 functions to alternately direct the pump discharge to the upper and lower jets at a selectively variable rate, preferably at the rate of one cycle per second. Thus the upper jets and lower jets would each emit fluid once per second. This alternate operation of the upper and lower jets tends to impart a cyclical motion to the materials to be washed, thereby providing additional agitation to assist in the washing.

Selection of the proper jet discharge pressure, proper velocity of discharge, jet size and frequency of actuation all contribute to the quality of the washing action. A controllable discharge pressure normally of the order of -30 p.s.i. resulting in an emission of fluid at a velocity normally of the order of ft./sec. has been found to produce vigorous agitation.

While orifices formed in the jet tubes have been found to be appropriate to carry out the objects of the invention, it is contemplated that individual jets associated with the hollow tubes and properly positioned to emit fluid in the directions as previously described, could also perform the functions herein described.

A spinner basket hollow drive shaft 52 may be suitably journaled for rotation on the lower portion of the fluid supply unit 20 by appropriate bearing means such as ball bearings 54. The spinner basket 14 is connected to the drive shaft 52 by appropriate means such as welding. Adequate sealing means 56 are provided between the outer tub 12 and the drive shaft 52.

The reversible motor 16 is drivingly connected to a double pulley 57. The drive shaft 52 is driven through a one-way clutch 58 by a pulley 59 and a belt 60'. The pump 22 is driven by a belt 61 and pulley 62 through a one way clutch 63. Thus, when the reversing motor is rotating in a specified direction, one of the clutches drives and the other free wheels in a manner well known in the art.

An appropriate fluid supply unit could also be provided which comes into the washer from the top. Such a fluid supply unit 67 is shown schematically in FIGURE 4 and includes concentrically disposed inner and outer tubes 64 and 65 with upper jets 66 formed in the outer tube 65 and lower jets 68 formed in the inner tube 64. Inlet 70 to the inner tube 64 and inlet 72- to the outer tube 65 are provided at the upper portion of each of the tubes and these are connnected by appropriate conduit lines 74 and 76, to the switching valve 50 which in turn is connected to the pump discharge as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGURE 3. The tangential disposition of the jets 66 and 68 is similar to that as disclosed in connection with the embodiment of FIG- URES 1 and 2, i.e., the upper and lower jets being directed in opposite directions.

It is contemplated that a single jet tube also could be used but with upper and lower jets directed in opposite directions and tangentially disposed.

It will be apparent that a liquid treating unit has advantageously been provided which utilizes a plurality of tangential jets spraying the treating liquid in opposite directions to effect both washing and tumbling of materials to be treated. This unit eliminates the conventional mechanical agitator and the damage to fabrics resulting therefrom. Another advantage is that the transmission normally associated with an automatic washer unit is eliminated thereby reducing the cost of production and maintenance of the unit.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically disclosed in the form of a washing machine, it is to be understood that the principles of the invention could be as easily applied to other machines for the liquid treatment of materials such as bleaching 0r dyeing machines or others apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is to be given its broadest interpretation within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for liquid treatment of materials, the combination comprising:

a tub;

vertically extending fluid supply tube means disposed at the center of said tub and adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure;-

jet means associated with said supply tube means for distributing fluid under pressure in streams outwardly to the interior of said tub, said streams being directed substantially tangential to the periphery formed by said fluid supply tube means, said jet means including a first set of jets disposed to emit fluid in a direction so as to impart a clockwise motion to said materials, a second set of jets disposed to emit fluid in a direction so as to impart a counterclockwise motion to said materials, the discharge of said jets being effective to agitate and impart relative movement to the materials being processed.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said jets are defined by said fluid supply tube means.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein all the jets discharge fluid simultaneously.

4. The combination of claim 1 including means for discharging fluid alternately through said first and second sets of jets.

5. The combination of claim 1 including a switching valve for alternately directing fluid pressure to one of said sets of jets and then the other.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sets of jets are vertically spaced with the central axes of at least one of said sets of jets being inclined at an angle in the range of from about 5 to about 15 with a plane normal to the vertical axis of the fluid supply unit.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply tube means comprises a pair of spaced concentrically disposed inner and outer tube members, said inner'tube defining a fluid conduit leading to one set of jets and the space between said inner and outer tube members defining a conduit leading to the other set of jets.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply tube means extends upwardly through the bottom of said tub and said fluid supply tube means further includes means for rotatably mounting a spinner basket thereon.

9. The combination of claim 1 including pump means for recirculating washing fluid between said tub and said fluid supply tube means.

10. The combination of claim 9 including switching valve means disposed between said pump means and said fluid supply tube means to effect an alternating supply of pressurized fluid to each of said two sets of jets.

11. The combination of claim 1 including a spinner basket rotatably mounted on said supply tube means, pump means for recirculating washing fluid between said tub and said fluid supply tube means, an electric motor operable in either direction of rotation associated with said spinner basket and said pump means whereby said motor drives said spinner basket when it operates in one direction of rotation and said motor drives said pump means when it operates in the other direction of rotation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,234,498 7/1917 Seymour 6818 1,474,277 11/1923 Martel et al. 68184 1,493,987 5/1924 Kenney 6855 1,961,548 6/1934 Caise 68184 2,031,788 2/1936 Persoons et al. 68--184 2,287,288 6/1942 Bonsiakos 68-23 2,592,597 4/1952 Pengelly 68-23 2,641,270 6/1953 Allen 134-177 3,293,890 12/1966 Valdespino et al. 68184 FOREIGN PATENTS 821,582 10/ 1959 Great Britain.

WILLIAM 1. PRICE, Primary Examiner. 

